. >>> republicans say president obama's latest offer is nothing new and means higher taxes. the president believes the cuts would hurt the economy and he's willing to settle for a short term fix. >> if congress can't act immediately on a bigger package f they can't get a bigger package done by the time the sequester is scheduled to go into effect, then i believe they should at least pass a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delay the economically damaging effects of the sequester for a few more months until congress finds a way. >> cbs news political director john dickerson is in washington, john good morning. >> good morning, norah. >> another deadline in washington, another proposal for a short term fix without any specifics about how to do it and a bunch of people, thousands of people facing job losses. is this about the president trying to gain the political upper hand? >> you sound tired of these skirmishes norah? they've been going on two years this is chapter 87 in a dreary book. this is both sides trying to gain leverage. they're trying to pu